From the Research
Skin tags are primarily caused by insulin resistance, which is often associated with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, as evidenced by a study published in 2010 1. The development of skin tags is a complex process involving multiple factors, including:
- Genetics
- Aging
- Friction
- Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy
- Weight gain People with diabetes or metabolic syndrome are more prone to developing skin tags due to insulin resistance, which is supported by a study published in 2007 2. Obesity increases the risk of skin tags because of more skin folds creating friction. While skin tags are completely benign and pose no health risk, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated. Removal options include:
- Snipping with sterile scissors
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Burning with electrocautery
- Tying them off with dental floss or string to cut off blood supply It's best to have a healthcare provider remove skin tags rather than attempting home removal, which could lead to bleeding, infection, or incomplete removal. A more recent study published in 2024 3 compared the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy and electrosurgery in treating skin tags, and found that electrosurgery is more effective in treating skin tags. However, another study published in 2021 4 found that cryotherapy using the Pixie® Skin Tag cryogenic pen is a safe and effective home treatment for skin tags. Considering the most recent and highest quality study, electrosurgery is the recommended treatment for skin tags due to its higher efficacy and safety profile, as shown in the 2024 study 3.